BIO

Ever since he was a teenager, Paul Allen was determined to make a difference in other people’s lives. And he wanted to use the word of God to achieve this. Allen is living out his dream as St. Paul, a gospel singer/songwriter who is prepared to connect with his audience, even if it means going outside of traditional Christian sounds. “My music is designed to reach everybody and that’s important. Church people will love it and the youths in the clubs can also vibe to it,” he said. Two of St. Paul’s’ latest songs, ‘Don’t You Ever Give Up’ and ‘Dreamer’ are dancehall-inspired tracks geared to a younger audience. He sees nothing wrong with reaching out to persons who don’t share his religious beliefs. “You have many people who don’t go to church but who are believers. It’s them who I want to reach,” St. Paul explained. Another new St. Paul song, ‘Love Jamaica’, is a patriotic tribute to the land of his birth. Paul Allen, who was raised in the Church of God denomination, has been around music for many years.

Born in Montego Bay, he was part of that city’s sound system circuit and unsuccessfully submitted an entry for Jamaica’s annual Festival Song Contest. It was not until 1990 when he immigrated to the United States that he realized his dream of being a recording artiste. Seven years ago, he recorded the inspirational song, ‘Be Yourself’, which was followed by ‘Moses’ and ‘I’ll Always Love You’, which followed a similar vein. A father of three children, St. Paul says although he wants to reach a diverse audience, he won’t lower his standard s for commercial gains. “My music is not just for adults, it’s ·for the children. If the kids can’t listen to your music it makes no sense.”